The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has issued a stern warning to tertiary institutions across the country against charging students for registration fees after receiving payments from the fund. This practice has been declared a criminal offense, and NELFUND has vowed to take decisive action against institutions found to be engaging in this illicit activity. The fund’s Managing Director, Akintunde Sawyer, emphasized this point during a stakeholders’ engagement held in Abuja with heads of Colleges of Education, Agriculture, Health, and Nursing. Sawyer underscored the fund’s commitment to covering the full registration charges for eligible students, thereby eliminating the need for students to make any additional out-of-pocket payments. He stressed that students must have unfettered access to education, including lectures, classes, tutorials, and examinations, once their institutional charges have been settled by NELFUND.
Sawyer elaborated on the seriousness of the issue, stating that any institution requiring students to pay fees after receiving payment from NELFUND is committing a crime. He clarified that while there have been instances where payments were made after students had already paid due to the mid-cycle commencement of the fund’s disbursements, demanding payment after NELFUND’s remittance constitutes a clear violation. He outlined the process for addressing these violations, explaining that while NELFUND does not possess the authority to directly sanction institutions through suspension, removal, or expulsion of erring heads, any identified illegalities would be reported to the Minister of Education for administrative action. Furthermore, cases involving criminal activities would be escalated to relevant agencies responsible for investigating and prosecuting economic crimes.
The Managing Director emphasized that the fund’s approach is guided by caution, ensuring that students are not penalized for refusing to pay fees in subsequent sessions as a means of sanctioning the institutions. He reiterated that the institutions engaging in these illicit practices will bear the consequences of their actions. Sawyer underscored the Minister of Education’s commitment to ensuring the success of President Bola Tinubu’s initiative to make education accessible to willing Nigerians, emphasizing that such efforts will not be undermined by selfish interests. He highlighted ongoing investigations being conducted by NELFUND, the National Orientation Agency (NOA), and the Ministry of Education to address complaints of illegal practices. These investigations aim to uncover and address the root causes of these illegal activities, ensuring that the intended beneficiaries of the education loan fund are not exploited.
The stakeholders’ engagement served as a platform for NELFUND to reiterate its commitment to transparent and accountable management of the education loan fund. By outlining the consequences of charging students after receiving payments, NELFUND aims to deter institutions from engaging in such practices and to protect the interests of Nigerian students seeking access to higher education. The fund’s proactive stance on this issue, coupled with the ongoing investigations, signals a strong commitment to ensuring that the funds are utilized as intended, ultimately contributing to the growth and development of the education sector in Nigeria.
The emphasis on collaboration between NELFUND, the NOA, and the Ministry of Education underscores a multi-pronged approach to addressing the challenges facing the education sector. By working together, these agencies can effectively monitor the disbursement and utilization of funds, identify and address potential loopholes, and ensure that the intended beneficiaries receive the full benefits of the program. This collaborative effort is crucial for fostering transparency and accountability within the education sector, ultimately contributing to the overall development of human capital in Nigeria.
Furthermore, the focus on accessibility to education highlights the government’s commitment to investing in its citizens and empowering them through education. By removing financial barriers to higher education, the government aims to create a more equitable society where individuals have the opportunity to reach their full potential, regardless of their socioeconomic background. The education loan fund represents a significant step towards achieving this goal, providing much-needed financial support to students who would otherwise be unable to afford tertiary education. This investment in education is not only beneficial for individual students but also for the nation as a whole, as a more educated populace contributes to economic growth and development.
The proactive measures taken by NELFUND, coupled with the commitment of the government to ensuring the success of the education loan program, demonstrate a strong dedication to improving access to education in Nigeria. This holistic approach, involving various stakeholders and agencies, aims to foster a transparent and accountable system that effectively serves the needs of Nigerian students and contributes to the overall development of the education sector. By addressing challenges proactively and holding institutions accountable for their actions, NELFUND is working to ensure that the education loan program fulfills its intended purpose of empowering Nigerian students and fostering a brighter future for the nation.
